UK video games industry calls for Digital Creativity GCSE

As technology reshapes industries, Ukie believes the UK's education system must adapt to ensure every student-regardless of background-has the opportunity to develop essential creative and digital skills. We're calling for a groundbreaking Digital Creativity GCSE to prepare the next generation with the digital skills essential to tomorrow's job market.

In the decade since the computing curriculum was introduced, digital skills teaching in schools has remained inconsistent. This "postcode lottery" is largely influenced by the availability of resources and teachers' expertise, which varies greatly from school to school. The resulting digital divide impacts individual opportunities and poses significant challenges for key growth sectors, especially the creative industries. In 2022, the UK's creative industries contributed £126 billion to the economy, with video games driving nearly £7.82 billion in consumer spending in 2023 alone. However, to sustain and expand this success, a skilled, digitally creative workforce is essential.

Ukie proposes a new GCSE in Digital Creativity to be introduced alongside the Computer Science GCSE, focusing on practical skills that integrate creative and digital technologies. This course would provide students with hands-on experience in areas like audio production, visual design, and game development-practical skills directly relevant to today's and tomorrow's industries.

Ukie's proposal builds on the success of the Digital Schoolhouse initiative, which has reached over 300,000 students over the past decade by combining creativity and technology to inspire engagement and boost confidence. Scaling this success nationwide through a Digital Creativity GCSE will help ensure students develop the adaptable skills needed in an increasingly digital world.

Digital creativity isn't just about preparing students for the games industry

According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023, creativity and analytical thinking are among the top skills employers across all industries now seek. From healthcare to finance, digitally creative skills enable students to become problem-solvers in high-demand roles.

With the UK facing an urgent need for reskilling, especially in digital and creative disciplines, Ukie's proposed GCSE can help bridge the digital divide. Research shows that by 2030, over 30 million people in the UK will need reskilling to meet future job demands, yet GCSE entries in creative subjects are declining, and gender disparities are widening. By introducing a GCSE in Digital Creativity, Ukie aims to offer young people a pathway to high-reward careers, boosting the UK's competitive advantage in the digital economy and supporting the ongoing growth of its creative industries.

Sir Ian Livingstone CBE, Co-founder of Games Workshop, author, and General Partner Hiro Capital said:

"In an age defined by rapid technological change, our education system must evolve to keep pace. My career in games began when video games were just emerging as a new form of entertainment. Today, the industry has grown into a cultural and economic powerhouse, generating billions for the UK economy and shaping the way we work, learn, and play. And if the UK is to stay at the forefront of the global digital economy, we must equip and empower the next generation with the skills needed to navigate and innovate in a world being transformed by AI and robotics."

Shahneila Saeed, Head of Education at Ukie said:

"Digital creativity is no longer just a valuable skill-it's essential for navigating and thriving in today's world. With the rapid pace of technological change, we need to equip young people not only with technical knowledge but with the creative confidence to apply it in innovative ways. A Digital Creativity GCSE would ensure that students across the UK, regardless of background, have access to these opportunities. It's about giving every student the tools to succeed in a world where digital and creative skills are vital across all sectors, from games to healthcare, finance to the arts. By introducing this qualification, we're not just future-proofing careers; we're future-proofing young people themselves."

Read the full report along with our recommendations here.

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Support our call for Digital Creativity GCSE by publicly backing the recommendation. Either show your support by posting a 'We support the call' digital asset on social media, or if you're speaking publicly or participating in roundtables over the coming weeks, please also consider raising this important call with those your speak to.

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